Local

Fast Five Fix: June 28

Ben Cohen’s new underwear line will benefit gays in so many ways, world’s richest DJs, Adele got dumped by a bi guy before writing ’21,’ and more

Published

14 years ago

June 28, 2012

Phil Reese

Ben Cohen,Stand Up, gay news, Washington Blade

Stand up for Ben Cohen in his underwear: rugby legend and straight LGBT ally launches charity underwear line benefiting his anti-bullying foundation; shows them off. (via Outsports - click photo for more)

Happy 43rd Stonewall uprising! In the wee small hours of the morning, June 28, 1969, our queer forefathers and foremothers and fore… drag queens decided enough was enough, and thus began the modern era of widespread grassroots LGBT community activism (not to take away from amazing activists like Henry Gerber, Harry Hay, Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings who fought back long before that night). But that doesn’t mean its the end of summer pride. Oh now. According to Queerty, its just getting started in Europe. Now here’s the news:

JoeMyGod found a list of the 30 richest DJs in the world. Tiesto tops out the list, some very expected answers and not so expected answers. Fatboy Slim is #12? What is this 1998?
That breakup that inspired Adele’s smash “21” album? Apparently it was a bi guy who left her for a gay friend at a party, says Queerty about some leaked info from a new unofficial biography. Boys, you know better than to break poor straight girls’ hearts, but then again, look was genius it inspired, so maybe its not such a bad thing.
Priests in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is showing their Christian love by calling for violence and murder at Saturday’s Sofia Pride Parade, says JoeMyGod.
Queerty tells us about a new effort by the CDC to bring rapid HIV testing to pharmacies around the country, giving you absolutely no excuse not to know your status.
JoeMyGod has us asking: will Scotland be getting same-sex marriage sooner than we think?

VIDEO | Yeah, we wish they’d called us, maybe, so we could have been at this party too.

(h/t Towleroad)

Finally, our friends at OutrageDC.com say check out active duty military night at Nellie’s, Cobalt Best Package, Mova rooftop party, Phase 1 lesbian karaoke, and shirtless thursdays at Green Lantern, if you’re looking for something to do tonight. Check out more at their calendar.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

14 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Michael Key

Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond march in the 2026 Inauguration Parade on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.

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*The LGBTQ contingent in the inaugural parade in Richmond, Va. pass by the review stand on Jan. 17, 2026. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

22 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Staff reports

(Bigstock photo)

The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.

Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.

A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.

Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.

“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”

Maryland

Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated

Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Merrick Moses, a violence prevention coordinator, works at the Pride Center of Maryland in Baltimore. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz for the Baltimore Banner)

By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.

The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.

By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.